In February 2024, Richards Bay-based gynaecologist Dr Xanti Pupuma thrust himself into the spotlight after guiding Milford FC to pull one of the biggest upsets in South African football.
He had just masterminded Kaizer Chiefs’ exit from the Nedbank Cup at the Last 32 stage. Dr Pupuma is the Milford coach, and he successfully orchestrated an embarrassment for the team he has been a loyal fan of since his youth.
That afternoon at FNB Stadium, his Motsepe Foundation Championship side was stubborn in this goalless encounter, dragging Amakhosi into extra time, and eventually knocking the Soweto giants out 5-4 on penalties. Milford finished the match with 10 men after Vusumuzi Mthabela received a red card in the second half of extra time, but their numerical disadvantage was never apparent.
They had just made a mockery of a traditional giant in its own backyard. The then-Chiefs coach Cavin Johnson, for all his experience in the game, looked like a dead man walking, enduring the wrath of angry Amakhosi fans. Even more interesting, Milford were never fully focused on that Cup game as the club places emphasis on Betway Premiership promotion.
“I’m a guy who never focuses on the Nedbank Cup, but priority has always been on the league since our days in the ABC Motsepe League. We didn’t put much effort into the Nedbank Cup,” Dr Pupuma told FARPost. While Milford were out for fun and never ambitious in this tournament, it was a matter of life and death for Chiefs, who were desperate to end a nine-year trophy drought.
REDUCING EX-CHIEFS VETERAN TRAINER JOHNSON TO AN ORDINARY COACH
Johnson, a veteran of many football battles from his time as a player to coaching, was outfitted by a medical practitioner. He was beaten by a man who shares his attention between medical practice and football. The 47-year-old ventured into coaching “a few years back when we were still playing in the ABC Motsepe League” and saved his team from relegation.
This is a coach whose highest level of playing the game was in the third-tier of South African football while turning out for Tornado FC in East London. That experience was preceded by playing for the Transkei Under-14s and 16s. The days in the running to defeating Chiefs, Dr Pupuma followed the usual routine that characterises his typical day.
A holder of a UEFA C coaching license, which he just completed, and eyeing a B badge in 2026, this is a man who arrives at training while in his scrubs, before he changes into football gear.
“I leave the rooms and get into the proper gear at training. I’m the one who conducts most of the training sessions in the afternoons. In the morning, the team is with the physical training guys,” he said.
“Prior to the Chiefs match, we did nothing much. Just the usual training. We didn’t really have much planning around it, except that if we can hold them for 60 minutes, it becomes anybody’s game.
“We were going to play low block and exploit whatever moments we get with the ball. And yes, we needed a bit of luck to be on our side as well.”
FROM THEATRE TO TRAINING GROUND: HOW DR PUPUMA BALANCES MEDICINE AND PSL PROMOTION PUSH
“We structure our training programme in a way that I come in the afternoon so that it can accommodate my time,” continued Dr Pupuma.
“Somehow, I’ve found the balance [between coaching and medical practice]. I only conduct the afternoon session. Our programme is planned to accommodate such. I have cut down on the medical side and focused more on the football side.
“My day starts with ward rounds in the morning, followed by consultations in the rooms till 15h00. Then training at 15:30 for two hours. I have theatre on Thursdays, so sometimes the other coaches handle training on Thursdays.”
Former Moroka Swallows central midfielder Nkululeko Buthelezi is his first assistant coach, while Mike Gumede is his second assistant coach. Mbongeni Sibisi works with the goalkeepers, and Mzi Sibiya is Milford’s conditioning coach.
After recently finding themselves on top of the Motsepe Foundation Championship table, Milford slid down to second place after a 0-0 draw with Gomora FC on Saturday. They are a point behind the leaders, Casric Stars.
It is a season in which Milford have thrown their hat into the ring as serious contenders for Betway Premiership promotion, a chance for another clash with Chiefs.
“The win [over Chefs] did a lot for the brand. Winning feels the same time regardless. Hopefully, we can meet them again in the near future and show them it was no fluke,” he said.
WHAT HAS MILFORD BEEN DOING RIGHT TO CHALLENGE FOR PSL PROMOTION?
“Continuation from last season into pre-season and being part of that programme. Hopefully, we can be consistent, at least be in the mix in April, then we will see,” Dr Pupuma added. “Everyone wants to be in PSL, and yes, we definitely can see ourselves there soon. We have the structure already. If or when we get promoted, obviously, we might have to add a few things.”
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